Electric Bass C-Extension?

[jdapodaca]

Hi.

I'm more of a Double Bass player, but a lot of times I play Theatre gigs on electric.

Sometimes there are some sub-contra E notes in the book, and I just really dislike playing 5-string bass, which is what I do when there are any sub-contra E notes in the book.

The thing is, this is the only time I'll play 5 string, and sometimes it's confusing, i.e. I'll play the lowest string, hoping to hear E, and I get a B instead.

I was wondering if any of you have ever seen anything like a Double Bass C-Extension for the Electric Bass. Here is a photo of one if you don't know what I'm talking about.

I've looked around but all of my search results end up in Double Bass C-Extensions.

A low B-Extension would be neat to have on Electric, perhaps with closers in each additional fret, like some Double Bass versions.

[202dy]

The Hipshot detuner is the standard device used to extend an E string to C on bass guitar. There is a lever incorporated on the tuner that allows the string to be detuned to the desired, user definable pitch.

[meev992]

+1 on the hipshot, greatest tool a bassist can have.

but looking closer at your post, and the context, it really looks like u want a low C/B extension rather than a hipshot. Never considered the possibility, but that would sound like a very cool idea to have.

my advice is to, perhaps, get an electric bass with a double-bass type of headstock, and perhaps, ask if they would be willing to invent some sort of low B extension.

[jdapodaca]

The hipshot looks effective and easy to use, but...First fret becomes Eb, right?

That seems a bit confusing. That funny looking bass seems to have the right idea for what I'm looking for, but I'm more curious as to if there is anyone out there who's had some extra wood added to their EXISTING bass making it possible to actually close the nut at the E, and open it, accessing, chromatically, each note below E to at least C.

This way, when you play First fret, it's still F. and not Eb.

I'm not sure if the electric side of the forums has regular Luthiers who visit, but maybe one would be willing to chime in, in determining whether or not this would be possible.

[meev992]

*bump

I'd really like to see a Low C extension on an electric bass, I think it would be a novel idea.

[jdapodaca]

Originally Posted by Joshua

Normally I would never recommend double posting, but in this case it sounds like it might be worth it. Why not post this question over in the Luthiers section (in BG)? We'll leave this one here just in case.

Done and done.

[meev992]

Originally Posted by Joshua

If my math is correct, that's a 7 minute bump. Now that's aggressive bumping!

hey moddy, what can I say? The idea of a Low C extension on a Hofner-esque bass, who doesn't want to see that happen in the future

[202dy]

Originally Posted by jdapodaca

The hipshot looks effective and easy to use, but...First fret becomes Eb, right?

That seems a bit confusing. That funny looking bass seems to have the right idea for what I'm looking for, but I'm more curious as to if there is anyone out there who's had some extra wood added to their EXISTING bass making it possible to actually close the nut at the E, and open it, accessing, chromatically, each note below E to at least C.

This way, when you play First fret, it's still F. and not Eb.

I'm not sure if the electric side of the forums has regular Luthiers who visit, but maybe one would be willing to chime in, in determining whether or not this would be possible.

The first fret will be what ever pitch you decide it to be. The string is now tuned to a lower pitch. It is also correct that it changes all of normal playing positions on the fourth string. It takes some work to play fluidly.

AFAIK, there is no device like the C extension on your upright that can be fitted to a bass guitar. It is an intriguing idea, though. What kind of headstock do you want to fit an extension? Four on a side? Or two on a side? The mechanics of creating something for a standard Fender style headstock would be daunting but a two on a side might be doable. Obviously a slotted headstock would be the easiest.

[jdapodaca]

Originally Posted by 202dy

The first fret will be what ever pitch you decide it to be. The string is now tuned to a lower pitch. It is also correct that it changes all of normal playing positions on the fourth string. It takes some work to play fluidly.

AFAIK, there is no device like the C extension on your upright that can be fitted to a bass guitar. It is an intriguing idea, though. What kind of headstock do you want to fit an extension? Four on a side? Or two on a side? The mechanics of creating something for a standard Fender style headstock would be daunting but a two on a side might be doable. Obviously a slotted headstock would be the easiest.

I guess the idea would be to make something that can be put on any bass. I guess there would have to be a few different models, one for four on a side, two x two, etc.

[jdapodaca]

I just don't like 5 String Basses, period.

I play 4 string double bass, and would like to also play 4 string electric bass. I don't think it's necessary to train your mind to think "lowest string is B," instead of "lowest string is E."

I made a little sketch with MS Paint, using a guitar headstock cause I couldn't find any pictures of a bass headstock from the side. Pretend the last two tuners aren't there. This is what I'm picturing:



The part where the ebony meets the headstock would I guess have a little piece of felt, or something, and it would be good if it could be taken off and the bass could be restored to a regular bass without extension.

The string could go through the end of the extension and then somehow back through the regular tuner, or maybe through the D or G tuner, similar to a Double Bass extension.

Something tells me this is totally possible...Luthiers??

[202dy]

Originally Posted by jdapodaca

I just don't like 5 String Basses, period.

I play 4 string double bass, and would like to also play 4 string electric bass. I don't think it's necessary to train your mind to think "lowest string is B," instead of "lowest string is E."

I made a little sketch with MS Paint, using a guitar headstock cause I couldn't find any pictures of a bass headstock from the side. Pretend the last two tuners aren't there. This is what I'm picturing:



The part where the ebony meets the headstock would I guess have a little piece of felt, or something, and it would be good if it could be taken off and the bass could be restored to a regular bass without extension.

The string could go through the end of the extension and then somehow back through the regular tuner, or maybe through the D or G tuner, similar to a Double Bass extension.

Something tells me this is totally possible...Luthiers??

The idea is sound from the side view. From the front view unfortunately, the tuners are inline with the string and proud of the fingerboard. The second roadblock is the diameter of the tuner shafts. While it is possible to construct something to extend the E string, the location of the A string tuner and diameter of the shaft cause the bass side of the tuner to impede the extension and the string. What is called for here would be some radical hardware changes to most of the hardware on a traditional Fender style headstock.

[metalmariachi]

I wonder if a reverse headstock 4 in a row with a zero fret might work.

Maybe a permanent extension to the fret board on that side and just (simple to say) add a small capo like clamp at the zero fret.


I just realized the tuners would be in the way, reaching over the headstock to play would be awkward at best.


MM

[202dy]

Originally Posted by metalmariachi

I wonder if a reverse headstock 4 in a row with a zero fret might work.

Maybe a permanent extension to the fret board on that side and just (simple to say) add a small capo like clamp at the zero fret.


I just realized the tuners would be in the way, reaching over the headstock to play would be awkward at best.


MM

The reach isn't that difficult. It is not much different than mid neck on a six string bass guitar. The problem is geometry and layout.

[msabp]

Kubicki makes a bass kinda like that drops down to a D that they call the X factor:
http://www.kubicki.com/index.php
Again I think it only goes down to a D.
Also, you'd have to worry about finding a string long enough to get down to the note you want. I think Kubicki's strings are made custom for their instruments.

[StonewallValent]

Originally Posted by msabp

Kubicki makes a bass kinda like that drops down to a D that they call the X factor:
http://www.kubicki.com/index.php
Again I think it only goes down to a D.
Also, you'd have to worry about finding a string long enough to get down to the note you want. I think Kubicki's strings are made custom for their instruments.

+1 to that. That's the only extender I know that exists for the electric. If you call the guy that makes them, he may be able to figure out a longer one for you.

[grisezd]

Aside from the issue of getting strings long enough, it seems like it would be entirely do-able for a "headless" design. If I had anything like woodworking skill I'd give it a try!!

Expanding a bit: I'm thinking of an ex-factor type design but extra long.